If I had rated this book halfway through the "introduction" I would have given it a lower rating. However, as I read more it got slightly better to me. My favorite part of this book was reading The Tragedy of Arthur by "Shakespeare". The rest of the book didn't appeal to me as much and maybe that is because this is the first book by Arthur Phillips I have read and I'm not used to his style. However, Arthur really annoyed be (which was probably his point and therefore he executed it very well). I just couldnt stand how selfish Arthur was and got so annoyed at him at times that I ended up skimming far a page or two and then having to go back and re-read. Arthur was always demanding love from everyone, his sister (who loved him anyway) his mother his farther, Petra. But when his father expressed his love or gave him praise Arthur immediately criticized it and rejected it. I just wanted to shake him and say GET OVER YOURSELF. Learn to accept love from those around you even if it's flawed because no one is perfect. I really did enjoy the play though and actually read it twice. This was an okay book, but it dragged on too much for me.